10 Fascinating And Inspiring Facts You Didn't Know About The Great Joan Rivers

Whether you loved or hated her, it's hard to deny that Joan Rivers had an incredibly dynamic and unique personality and life. She was an Emmy Award-winning comedienne and an incredibly inspirational figure for millions of people.

She was also an incredibly self-aware individual, and did not shy away from making fun of herself. In a recent book, she even made fun of her numerous facelifts and financial troubles. Her personality was a testament to the fact that life should never be taken too seriously.

Rivers was a fierce individualist, and a pioneer for female comics. We could all learn from her enthusiasm for life and her willingness to stand up for what she believed in. She will be greatly missed.

She Was Ugly As A Child

Rivers may have come off as superficial to many onlookers, but that doesn't mean she wasn't also critical of herself.

I was not an attractive child. When I didn't use my Girl Scouts uniform as a uniform, I used it as a tent. I watch the television show "Glee." That wasn't my high school.
In my high school, the fat girl was not popular. In my high school, the homosexual was running. But not running and dancing — he was running for his life. I just find that most of us went through very rough times growing up.

Rivers Was Once A Tour Guide At Rockefeller Center

Rivers always had a knack for entertainment, but she worried that it wasn't a very practical career choice. Before becoming a household name, she worked as a buyer for a chain store.

She was determined to succeed, however, and eventually spent close to a decade performing in New York City comedy clubs before she became famous. Don't ever give up on your dreams; Rivers certainly didn't.

Her Real Name Was Joan Alexandra Molinsky

Joan Rivers was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1933. Her parents were Russian Jewish immigrants, and her father was a doctor who apparently had a great sense of humor.